1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the
screening.
If one was
asked to try to specify a few particular movies in the 1960s that had the most
impact on the film industry, it should not come as a surprise to hear the title
The Graduate thrown out amongst them. This film held such a powerful statements and
themes that it helped spur the career of all those involved and also opened the
eyes of millions of viewers to the changes in society at that time. Directed by Mike Nichols, The Graduate helped launch his career
with his second feature film ever made.
He quickly rose in the ranks of the best director for his time period
and made many films afterwards. Dustin
Hoffman’s career was also thrust into the limelight after his first starring
role in this film.
2) Find a related article and summarize the content. (on
the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) You can use the
library or the internet. Cite the article or copy the url to your journal
entry. Summarize in your own words the related article but do not plagiarize
any content.
In
an article published by TCM (TurnerClassicMovies), Rob Nixon wrote an article
regarding the importance of The Graduate
to the film industry. In his article, he
speaks about how the film spoke to the youth of the nation at that time and how
it still remains relevant in today’s society.
Nixon also briefly discusses and analyzes some of the films major themes
regarding rebellion and following one’s own path. With the help of statements
from the movie’s director, Mike Nichols, Nixon gives a great review for his
readers.
3) Apply the article to the film screened in class. How
did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director,
content, etc.?
Out
of all of the articles I have read for the many films we have screened during
this semester, I felt that this article was the most interesting to read. Although this article was not the most
lengthy of articles I have read, I found that some of the ideas presented about
the themes were pretty thought provoking.
Nixon also included words from Mike Nichols, stating how he felt this
film was not as much about youth rebellion as it was about not being an object. Reading just those few lines from the article
took me roughly ten minutes to get through because of the time it took me to
process some of the ideas presented that I hadn’t thought about before.
4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including
your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions,
text material and the article. I am less interested in whether you liked or
disliked a film, (although that can be part of this) than I am in your
understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the
director.
So
it seems that I may have a new favorite movie for the semester! Mike Nichols delivers us a brilliant film
following a newly college graduate returning home after completing school. As I sat watching the early beginning
sequences, I remember asking myself why this young man (Dustin Hoffman) seems
to be so upset. It wasn’t until later
after I had time the movie as a whole that I was able to figure out the
answer. The answer actually refers to
the overall theme and meat of the movie itself.
It refers to what many college graduates go through even 40, 50, 60
years later. It refers to that sense of
uncertainty we all face after an important chapter or what we believe to be is
an important chapter in our lives is over.
At
Ben’s home earlier on in the film, we see that his parents have thrown a
graduation party for his return and we watch as people constantly come up to
him congratulating him, questioning him and offering him advice along the
way. Ben, however, is unsure about his
next steps. We understand that he is so
wrapped up in the modern society of traditions and ways of life, that somewhere
along the lines, something didn’t click inside of him anymore and he wanted
out. Herein lies the theme of youth
rebellion. This film mirrors the revolution
and changes happening within society at that time and Ben represents the youth
of that society lashing out and going against the norms.
The Graduate is an extraordinary work of art and blends
comedy and drama, with side dishes of social awareness and intelligence. This film at times feels like a very
straightforward comedy/romance, but underneath all the laughs lies many truths
and thought out questions to the viewers.
It has lots of laughs and very notable and quote worthy scenes. Such as
the scenes with Ben pounding on the windows in the church (which was spoofed in
Mike Myers comedy hit, Wayne’s World) and the famous line “Mrs. Robbinson, you’re
trying to seduce me”. There is a movie
why this movie is still being referenced in many big budget films decades
later. The thoughts it provoked and its
messaged have made this film endure the test of time and it is hard to
visualize another film, in the same vein as The
Graduate ever having quite the same impact as it did.
Grades:
Journal assignments are given individual points. Each
journal assignment is worth 10 points.
9-10 points reflect excellent content, excellent article
source, excellent thorough summary, excellent thoughtful analysis and creative,
interesting content.
7-8 Points reflect good work in all areas above
5-6 Points reflect that you adequately met all the requirements
1-4 Missing or poorly presented content
0 No journal posted or posted beyond due date
Pages: You can create separate pages on your blog or simply
do them as continuous posting.
Note: You do not have to resubmit your blog after you
initially create one. If you post your journal content, I will see it. Just
make sure it is posted on time.
Plagiarism Statement: Attach this to the end of every journal assignment.
Plagiarism Statement: Attach this to the end of every journal assignment.
CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM
1) ( ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.
2) ( ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.
3) ( ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.
4) ( ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.
5) ( ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.
6) ( ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.
7) ( ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.
8) ( ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.
1) ( ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.
2) ( ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.
3) ( ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.
4) ( ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.
5) ( ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.
6) ( ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.
7) ( ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.
8) ( ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.
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